Apollo 11 Flown French 20 Franc Coin and Necklace in Framed
Display with Crew-Signed Letter of Authenticity. It's hard to
imagine any space flown item more desirable than something flown by
Armstrong in his own PPK (Personal Preference Kit). We are proud to
offer this item with impeccable provenance from not only the
commander and crew of Apollo 11, but also the backup commander
James Lovell. The .900 fine gold coin appears to be of the
"Rooster" type that was minted between 1899 and 1914 in France. It
is inside a bezel and on a gold necklace (gold content and length
unknown). This is matted with several items- a mission patch, Beta
cloth flag, copies of the letters of provenance, and a photo of the
original owner, Trish Butte. Trish was known as the folksinger to
the astronauts because she was a popular performer at the hotels
and clubs in the Cape area. This necklace was given to her friend
James Lovell who helped get it placed into Armstrong's PPK for the
Apollo 11 mission. After their return, the necklace was returned to
Trish with a typed letter on NASA letterhead, as follows: "Dear
Trish: This letter is to confirm the fact that your 20 Franc coin
and chain were carried onboard the Apollo 11 spacecraft during its
historic mission. With best wishes". Signed at the close: "Neil
Armstrong", "Buzz Aldrin", and "M Collins". She
later gave the necklace to NBC news correspondent Jay Barbree for
inclusion in his fabulous space collection. A two-page handwritten
letter (included) documents this. The display mat and frame is 24"
x 33" in size. An amazing item sure to create excitement among the
collecting community. Excellent condition.

Included with this lot is a 1997-dated signed letter from James
Lovell with transmittal envelope. It reads, in full: "Dear Jay: By
this letter I authenticate that a 20 Franc coin and chain were
delivered by me to Neil Armstrong, commander of the Apollo 11
mission, to be placed in his Personal Preference Kit (PPK). As back
up commander I helped Armstrong package his PPK. This kit was flown
on board the Apollo 11 spacecraft. After the flight, items in the
PPK were distributed with letters signed by the Apollo 11 crew
authenticating their presence aboard the Apollo 1 I space flight. I
am not aware of the final distribution of items in Armstrong's PPK.
However, the Apollo 11's letter is proof of the authenticity of the
20 Franc coin and chain in your possession."

Also included with this lot is a 1996-dated signed letter from Jay
Barbree stating, in full: "During the late 1960s and early 1970s,
Trish Butte was a popular entertainer in Cocoa Beach, Las Vegas and
Hollywood. She was known as 'The Folksinger To The Astronauts.'
Trish counted most of the astronauts among her friends while she
developed a close, personal relationship with James Lovell, the
backup Apollo 11 Commander to Neil Armstrong. Later, Lovell
Commanded the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission for history's most
dramatic space rescue. Each Apollo astronaut was permitted to carry
25 pounds of personal mementoes to the moon in their "Personal
Preference Kit" known as their PPK. Before Apollo 11's launch, the
mission's backup commander, James Lovell, gave Apollo 11 Commander
Neil Armstrong Trish's 20 franc coin and chain. As authenticated by
the above letter signed by all three members of the Apollo 11 crew,
the above 20 franc coin and chain were carried in Neil Armstrong's
PPK to the moon's Sea of Tranquility for humankind's first landing
on the moon. On December 18th, 1996, Trish passed along the above
20 franc coin and chain to me, a lifetime friend, because she had
long admired my Apollo memorabilia collection. A personal,
handwritten letter by Trish authenticating the transfer of
ownership is in the curator's possession."